The only race reports this week are from the 2 cross country races, Saturdays Stadt Moers and Sundays Runcorn Town Park.

Firstly from Ian Landucci,

Not sure if the weather was a factor but I was the only green vest that turned up for the L&D XC Mud Fest at Stadt Moers.
Not only had it been raining for at least 12 hours before the race but the organisers had gone to the trouble of putting on a junior race in the morning to make certain the there was enough mud for everyone.
Those of you who have done cross country races before will know that the usual courses we run on have some muddy sections in between the grassy bits. This course was identical except without the grassy bits.
But what about the race I hear you ask. Well it was thoroughly enjoyable I finished just inside the first 50 thoroughly soaked through through and covered in mud. Whilst I missed seeing another green vest at the race it did mean I had the very rare experience of coming in as first Helsby counter.

All that remained was to dash home and get the kit clean in time for the Sunday XC at Runcorn. But reckon I can leave someone else to describe that one.
Added bonus on Sunday afternoon was to switch on the telly at the exact moment that the coverage of the Euro XC championships was starting. Though made me laugh to see the lack of mud. Not quite sure it can really be described as a cross country more of a slightly off road race.
Ian L

Hello all Fitzy here

Sunday seen 20 of the green army head to my back garden for the Town Park Cross country (or as some said dog poop alley, pick it up will you!!!!) sorry rant over. Rain rain and more rain for the last few weeks and especially the day before meant we arrived and it was like looking more like Loch Ness, water everywhere, and I’m sure we spotted a little nessie, then again it might of just been a turtles head.

Anyways, lots of new faces this season in the XC and it’s great to see, even Rachael With her brand new and very loud new racing spikes, they’re not so clean now. The race started for over 200 folk, after a almighty shout of green army especially from Jane Ashbrook, you’ve got no shame you Jane, and we were greeted with the first puddle, sorry I mean lake, I did ask Ben are you going through it or around, being the road loving runner I am, and he said straight through, so I had to follow suit.

Now one of our second claim members from the mighty Delamere Spartans got caught on video tippy toeing around another mahoosive puddle, let’s not let him ever forget this, he’s meant to be a Spartan after all! I’ll let you all guess who it was (CC)

So onto the first half a ski slope climb, and into mini Wembley as us locals know it and out into the park, over a little slippy trolls bridge and back on yourself until you come to what some would describe as the bog of doom, although those who’ve done Hellrunner would laugh at them if they thought that was bad, then back into mini Wembley and up the full ski slope which made for some good viewing going up and coming down. The race was 2 laps so that meant 2 ski slopes and 2 half’s

Just before reaching the first ski slope squirrel went foraging for some acorns and went for a little bit of a fall right into some bushes, although I got up and dusted myself down my knee took a right wallop and obviously held me back from winning the race (I did struggle after this if you want to give me sympathy)

The battle at the front was intense and Ben and Col were having a right ding dong Ben just having the legs on Col, who might I add isn’t fully fit yet, great work El Capitano, Jo Lacking was loving the mud and was first back for the girls, Vanessa Griffiths won her age category, whilst run of the day for me was Chris Murray who every time I turned around could always see him, he’s loving the XC series as he said, great to see David Feakes back and looking strong, always like to know he’s fighting fit as he normally BBQ’s us our food on nights out, great work mate. These were just a few highlights on what for me is the best XC race of them all because it’s in my back garden.

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Anyone that’s done a bit of mountain biking will be familiar with the built trails at Llandegla, so the announcement of two new dedicated running trails and a new race are welcome news…

The Clwydian Range Runners are pleased to announce that a brand new, permanent, fully waymarked running route has been installed at Llandegla forest. There are two 10km routes (red & blue) and although parts of them are the same they differ in terms of the experience and ability required of the runner.

The Range Runners have been working on this for just over 12 months now and as a way of thanking the people involved we are hosting an opening race around the course.

The date is Saturday 20th February 2016Registration between 09:30 – 10:30 for an 11am race startCost will be £5

Kit: due to us not being able to forecast the weather in February, which can be hit and miss from year to year, we will be expecting runners to have waterproof or windproof jacket, hat & gloves.

There will be the usual prize giving and thank you’s afterwards and the centre, as many of you know, serves great hot and cold drinks, cakes and light meals.

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A fairly quiet weekend of running for the Green Army, it must be all those Xmas parties getting in the way! We had one report in the inbox so if there are any more or if you have completed a race this weekend and want to write a few words please send to helsby-race-reports@outlook.com

Borders League (Race #3 Caernarfon)

Another excellent turn out of green vests for the 3rd Borders League race in Caernarfon (staged by Cybi) with 25 of our runners toeing the line ready to do battle on the undulating 10k course. Luckily, after the comical weather last time the conditions were pretty much perfect so we had some excellent running by the troops. Colin Thompson (myself) took the honours for first Helsby runner home closely followed by Chris Fitzpatrick who had an excellent run after being out injured for a few weeks. Joanne Lacking is just getting better in each race and took 5th female overall and first back for the Helsby ladies. She also won her age group! Well done Jo. We had another category podium too, well done to Debbie Read for 2nd in her age cat and well done to everyone who turned out to support the club. The ladies managed to get a superb 2nd team on the day and the men were 6th (it’s definitely tough at the top!) The men aren’t too far behind Abergele so let’s try and get another good turn out at the next one and try to avoid the dreaded relegation zone. The next race is on Sun 24 Jan 2016 and is staged by Abergele Harriers.

As always, a big thank you to our support on the day – Joe, Mario and Serena Williams. Mario also had the task of sorting the tokens at the finish which looked like a tough job in itself!

Helsby results below. I have indicated the podium category postions where they apply.

A few of our runners travelled to Stockport for the 10 mile road race on Sunday, Ivan, Dave Madders and Gareth Boyd all ran well on what I believe is a tough hilly course. There aren’t any reports for this race thus far but I have managed to find the results which are shown below. Well done to all, especially Dave Madders who after a skin full the previous night still managed to put in a decent performance!

We don’t get many reports for the parkruns so it was nice to receive one from Andy Smith to give his account of one of these excellent 5k races. Over to Andy…

“With the Delamere Park Run cancelled, and being stuck in Cumbria this weekend with work, a sneaky outing to the Workington Park Run to flash the green vest – or at least my Helsby kag given the filthy wet conditions – seemed in order. They breed them tough in this part of Cumbria, 29 hardy souls turned out to run plus a large number of volunteer marshals. With a gale blowing off the Irish Sea it was never going to be a PB run up and back along the cycle way out of Workington, but the route did offer some protection from the elements. 22:58 isn’t my finest hour, but in such a small field at least I got a top 10 position. A quick change out of soaking running kit in the back of the car, then off to work.” http://www.parkrun.org.uk/workington/results/latestresults/

The other parkrun results can be seen below. Congrats to Col Bishop on another win at Widnes and Michael Williams for doing the double (parkrun and borders league the next day!)

Warrington parkrun

42nd Carl PRATT 00:23:06

Widnes parkrun

1st Colin BISHOP 18:1511th Michael WILLIAMS 00:22:57

Birkenhead parkrun

47th Geoff COLLINS 00:23:41

Reminders

Saturday 12December, Stadt Moers, 2pm, Liverpool & District XC

Sunday 13 December, Runcorn Town Park, 10am, Sunday League XC

That’s all this week folks. If there are any races or results missing please get in touch.

Wed 2 Dec – this week after our club run there is a talk. There’s a change of subject due to Tim being called away suddenly but Jane has stood in and will talk on “Way do running injuries occur – fact or fiction”. Chip Barm supper.

W/E 4-6 Dec – this weekend is a hectic one, The Clubs Xmas night out in Frodsham will kick off at 7:30 in the Helter Skelter, Saturday night is the HCSC Xmas party, you have until midnight Tues to reserve your tickets (please let me know jackiekeasley@btinternet.com). Then Sunday it’s the Border League race at Caernarvon at 11am (please note the venue change).

Wed 9 Dec – Quick 4VHM meeting after the club run to finalise plans for leaflet drop (see below) and discuss any other 4VHM business before Xmas. If you are running and you haven’t nominated someone to help please let Laura know ASAP as we are trying to finalise plans. Entries are slightly lower than normal so we are having a publicity drive. Please help by distributing the following flyer.https://gallery.mailchimp.com/44f7135cdac47fa6325506208/files/4V_flyer.pdf

W/E 12-13 Dec – the following weekend, on Sat it’s the Liverpool & District XC at Stadt Moers, 2pm and on Sunday the Sunday League XC at Runcorn Town Park 10am. If anyone can help marshal Sunday’s race please let me know as we need to help Warrington Road Runners host this race.

Sun 13 Dec – 4VHM Leaflet Letter Drop – Important – on the Sunday we also need teams of members to go around the 4 Villages circuit doing a leaflet drop to warn of the full road closures. Please let Laura know if you can help out Laura@baynham-Hughes.com either morning or afternoon.

Sat 19 Dec– Frodsham Xmas Run, a joint run with Spectrum organised by Sue Buck, followed by lunch in the Bulls Head. Meet at 8:45 am for 2 laps, 10:15 am for 2 laps. Virtually our summer run to Frodsham in reverse, each lap 7 miles. Please let Sue have your food order buckwww@me.com.

Wed 23 Dec – Our Xmas Handicap and Party, followed by Secret Santa, soup supper, mice pies and Chris Igoe’s Xmas Disco, open to everyone, see poster. Meet at the club at 6:30 pm (Xmas dress optional!). We will have a warm up, then gather at the start near Tesco for our 3.3 mile dash to Godscroft Lane and back with handicap starts. Please bring a wrapped Xmas present to the value of £5 for the secret Santa prize. For the supper Lesley & Dave will email soon asking for a number of volunteers to bring big pans of soup to warm us all up davidfeakes1234@btinternet.com

Xmas Day – Delamere Park Run 9 am to work up an appetite for your turkey dinner!

Boxing Day Goshawk Run 12:00 pm, an informal 3 mile run from the Goshawk pub in Mouldsworth. Just turn up and run.

Wed 6 Jan – 4VHM medal making – we need lots of help to re-packing this years medals – please come along to the HCSC bar after our training run and help out as many hands make light work, chip barms provided.

Sat 9 Jan – Cheshire XC Championships at Reaseheath, 1pm – show case XC of the year for runners & spectators! A chance to see and run with Cheshire’s best and to try and qualify for a Cheshire vest and the Nationals. But please don’t be put off; it’s a great team day out for all levels of runners. Must be born in Cheshire or have resided for last 9 months. Pre-entry so if you wish to run please let Paul Foster know before Xmas Eve mooeyf@hotmail.com

Sat 16 Jan – 4VHM working party to help prepare the club for the race. Meet at the club at 9:30 am Many hands make light work and it’s great fun too seeing what lies behind organising such a large race. Depending on the state of the club house we may organise a working/clearing up party the Saturday morning before too. Please let Laura know if you can help. Laura@baynham-hughes.com .

Sun 17 Jan – Essar Four Villages Half Marathon10:30 am. Whether you run or help on the day let’s hope it’s a brilliant race day, proudly organised by our new race director Laura B-H and the whole of Helsby Running Club. Volunteers are required for marshalling, at the start and finish and Sports Club. If you can help or nominate someone to help (if you are running it) please let Dave Feakes (marshalls) davidfeakes1234@btinternet.com or Laura know.

Wed 20 Jan – Club Championship Selection – After our club run in the HCSC bar, meeting open to everyone to decide on our road and fell club counters that will count towards the 2016 summer championships. Plus 4V de-brief and a club committee meeting. Chip Barm supper.

Sun 24 Jan – Border League Race at Abergele

Sat 30 Jan – Northern Cross Country Championships, Blackburn, TBC. Another good day out for runners & spectators! Must be 1st claim for Helsby to be eligible, born in Cheshire or have resided for last 9 months. Pre-entry, so if you wish to run please let Paul Foster know before 5th Janmooeyf@hotmail.com

Hope to see you out and about running on the run up to Xmas, a happy Xmas and New Year when it comes and hope to see you at many of these events into 2016!

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I’m the guest blogger this week (SURPRISE) and I’ve picked the perfect week to do it, considering we have 2 of the most important events in the Helsby RC calendar for 2015 (well for me anyway). First and foremost, it’s the Official Helsby RC night out this Friday 4th, now for those members who are virgins to this, this is what you can expect. 7.30pm Helter Skelter, turn up in your xmas jumpers or brand new party frocks and get really drunk, stumble over the road to the Chum, then sing to your hearts content on the karaoke until you’re sick or should I say sick of Wiggo’s voice. It’s as simple as that really, it’s one not to be missed.

Secondly, it’s borders league round 3 on Sunday, in Caernafon. I’m hoping for another great turnout although it’s the furthest we will travel this season, but it’s on a great 10k course. Remember, I’m allowing the “don’t drink 48 hours before the borders league 4.3 rule” to be…well relaxed a little due to the xmas party. Don’t expect me to be so relaxed next time around.
So, I best tell you about some of this week’s races eh!

Parkrun highlights were a 1st Place finish at Widnes for Bish, and good turnouts as per usual at Delamere & Widnes, well done all.

Whilst were also on Bish, Jane sent in a report telling us Bish also came first at Pennington Flash 5 mile race on Sunday.

Just thought would let you know Colin did a double this weekend. Firstly a first at Widnes Parkrun on Saturday then a first place at Pennington Flash on Sunday. Pennington flash festival 5 mile multi-terrain started on a slippery muddy field, slippery underfoot and gusting winds across the lake made the already testing course a little more demanding but still enjoyable. Weather conditions certainly not making it easy for PB’s but quite happy with an unofficial time of 30.32. Well marshalled and organised, definitely one to think about next year, great goody bag and mince pies post-race yum yum

This weekend was the British Athletics cross country challenge, a few reports came over for this one, and they’re all that good I’ve included them all

Saturday was the British Athletics Cross Country Challenge in Sefton Park. The Challenge includes five key fixtures across the autumn and winter season as thousands of athletes seek to become Britain’s best cross country athletes with the winners from this final meet being selected for the European Cross Country Championships in France on December 13th 2015. There were U17, U15, U13 & U11 races in the morning session followed by the senior ladies’ and men’s competition (which included the young U23 gazelles) in the afternoon. A record 2300 runners ensured a very well churned up park and race circuit. The day is also part of the Liverpool & District Cross Country Series which is why a small contingent of the #greenarmy were present. As we strolled the length of the park to the start zone, we noticed the bird life were having a great time, instead of being confined to the main lake they were bathing everywhere in the many pools of standing water which had appeared overnight! The ladies race involving 1 small and 2 large circuits of 8K started first to the sound of race commentary and music which could be heard right across the park so it was easy to tell who was winning the race when some still had the final lap to do. The men’s race followed, this was 10K and included one extra big lap. It was amazing to finish our race and then watch the winners come past for their final lap and an incredible up hill sprint to the finish lines. Thanks to Paul Foster for being there and sorting the registrations, he was unable to run as he was looking after Declan who did seem to enjoy cheering us on although I think the mud kept him happy too! June Swift was there officiating on the start line and John was there too, thanks for the loud cheer on each lap! Their dog having changed colour from white to brown! The senior/U23 women’s race was an exciting contest with Gemma Steel (Charnwood AC) who also won last year retaining her title. Stockports Ross Millington secured the men’s senior race. Followed by some impressive finishes for the green vests.

From Laura BH
Great afternoon out at the British Athletics Cross Country champs in Liverpool. A big thank you to Paul Foster for organising, sorting the numbers out and supporting us all in the rain. It was very muddy but great fun and great to be in the same race as some of the country’s top runners, not that we saw much of them after lining up on the start line! Would be great to see more Helsby vests next year.

Saturday seen the hardcore members of the green army who ain’t scared of a bit of mud and rain or them super fast elites take on the cross country at sefton park. Brilliant event where you get to race against (well atleast see for the 1st 100 meters) the best cross country runners from far and wide. After making my way to the wrong tent to get ready ( another green army type flag everyone wants to be green ) I realised my error and found the real green army tent and felt the powers running through me as I donned the green vest. Met Ben,CBH, Chris and Ian at the start line (heard the Green Army roar from CBH) and then we were off the super speedy guys off like it was a 100m race was amazing to see. Great running from the all the green army on a lovely wet and muddy course and great support from the green army ladies having finished their race. Thanks to Paul Foster for sorting everything and anyone else involved in the day. Loved it!